Currently Listening to "What Do I Know of Holy?"

A friend introduced me to this song recently, and it has really ministered to me. I've been able to shop around itunes lately, thanks to some other friends, and this song is definitely on my "Top 10"

The 10 Ten Things I Have Learned This Year & Randomness

10 Things I Have Already Learned This Year

#1)  Read your children's Bible Storybook to them carefully - there may be minor misprints that completely change the logic and the meaning of the story

#2)  Our life "plates" change and we should not compare our plates to other people's "plates".

Our portions are different and they evolve; our portion of grace is different.

I learned last year in a very real way the truth behind the old adage that "everyone thinks his sack heaviest."  We might do good to reflect upon other's plates with eyes of mercy, not criticism or jealousy.  

This lesson I learned in two ways, from either side of the plate controversy.  One very real way it hit home for me was when an older lady shared a prayer request for her aging mother.  She asked for patience and grace in loving her, as she was becoming like a child in many ways.  This was my prayer request, but for my handling of my children.  

I think it is so hard to be where I am, with two young children, hardly ever getting to sleep through the night (because of nightmares, accidents, or teething pain), no lunch hours, no sick days, no easy errands, and I might covet other people's life-stage thinking it is easier.  Or I might be deceived into thinking that maybe I can skip learning patience because I won't need it later on in life.   

From hearing this 50-60 something year old lady's prayer request, God showed me many things in my heart and changed my perspective on so many things.  I used to think this lady's life would be so easy - and why did I think that?  I think because I saw her as more of a "free agent" than myself.  Isn't that what we all want, when left to our flesh?  

Motherhood has taught me the scriptural truth that "my life is not my own" and mercy has taught me that other's lives are not their own, either.

We are slaves to something, as Paul exhorts us.  

May we grow in the grace to be slaves to righteousness.

#3)  To Simon, our bedroom is the "good-smelling room"

Explanation:  We thought we had heard it all when one night Simon crawled in bed with us and we asked what was wrong.  (Usually he is scared and we pray with him and take him back to his bed.)  He said, "My room smells bad.  I want to be in the good-smelling room."

#4)  If you come home from ladies' meeting with Sally, and have found out that Matt and Alex have waxed your floor ... Well, it's not necessarily a good thing.

Explanation:  When Sally and I came home Thursday evening after an encouraging night of teaching, somehow, a candle had "exploded" and wax was all over the kitchen floor.

Also, miscellaneous info:  Sally and I went for a walk earlier that evening and witnessed an odd thing:  it appeared to be several military aircrafts overhead.  Then we realized, it was probably former President George Bush's escort to his new home in Dallas.

#5)  Pay special attention to the scripture verse you happen to get at a midnight's eve Watchnight Service....

And be wary if it is Revelation 21:4, "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  

The 'prophecy' may come true sooner that you dreaded, um, expected.  

And you might have a chapped face and eyes that are too exhausted even for contact lenses.

Also, I was really sad that Matt received 2 verses (front and back) on his scripture promise card.  I received one lonely verse on crying, and on the opposite side, a nice sentimental prayer, "Dear Savior, help me to grow in your grace ... even when the tears are falling!"  I felt kind of cheated, where's my second scripture! And please make it have nothing to do with crying!

Explanation of above picture with Evie crying:  While Evie does like to dust, she feels a little overwhelmed by gender stereo-typing.

#6)  A Grateful Heart and Encouraging Spirit are Contagious and Inspiring

Just as Simon in the above picture is exuberant that Evie is almost "walking," we should be just as enthusiastic to praise and encourage others, especially those in the faith with us.  

If I am jogging with someone else, I can easily run a mile.  By myself, I am more likely to give up or be distracted.

#7)  Laughter IS Medicinal

The scriptures are right!  Laughter is good for us!

For my 30th birthday, we hosted a Comedy Night.

There's a verse in Proverbs 31, "...She can laugh at the days to come..." which we thought was suitable for someone crossing the 30-threshold.

I am sorry I didn't get any pictures of that night!

My favorite part (it just happened to be my contribution) was "Dmitri's" two voice messages.  I laugh everytime I think of it!  And Matt's Jimmy-Hendrix rendition of The National Anthem.  And so many funny you-tube videos!

#8)  As Iron Sharpens Iron

"Ironing" influences in our life are irreplaceably sharpening.

And God reminded me this January what incredible friends we have - both near and far!  I just had the best conversation over the phone with my dearest friend Kellie in Afg.

#9)  Living in Texas, it is very difficult to teach the seasons to Simon.

I took a picture of our outdoor clock and thermometer on January 3rd.

It was 80 degrees.

The next day the high was in the 40s.

It is very confusing.

And wonderful.

Simon is wondering about snow and the beach, all at once.

#10)  There is a bonus to emotional stress

You might lose your appetite (and unfortunately sleep, too) and you a couple of pounds!

Caption:  Matt serving Simon one of his favorite things:  a stack of pancakes.

That ends the Top 10 for January.

Here are some random insights.

On my actual "birthday," I purposed to only do enjoyable things.

I played with my children.

Simon and I made granola.

Simon and I read a few chapters of Charlotte's Web.

(We're finished now - it was his first official 'chapter' book.)

I went in to work at the office.

After a little editing, I was surprised by my department with a yummy chocolate cake in the cafe that actually had 30 candles on it.

Terri and Rachael offered to keep our kids for a little bit.

Matt and I played tennis and grabbed some ice-cream (ironic, I know).

Simon's interesting comments

"God pulled me away from the coffee." 

 (when he almost ran into a cup of coffee)

"Can we buy this movie?"  

(After Matt read him the story of Lazarus.)

"I didn't get dead." 

 (after I told him not to keep the screened door open to the driveway and to play with his skateboard on our driveway without me)

We've had a difficult January with many opportunities to be overwhelmed - from everything to Matt and the kids being sick, an expensive car repair on our only car that now has over 150,000 miles, a huge electric bill that makes my mind think about how we need an updated and more efficient ac unit, my grandfather has cancer and this was my first Christmas (yes in 30 years) not to see my extended family over the holidays, a misunderstanding and confusion that rocked our world, and just the day to day challenges with two little kids.  A lot of days I feel like a failure if I compare myself to others.  I have equated God's approval with man's approval, and have thus wrongly sentenced myself for good and for bad.  

I have not been taking thoughts captive.  

We're emerging though with a clearer vision of God's goodness and faithfulness.

Cutie Patootie

Our front door is magnetic.

Before motherhood, I never realized how charming the concept of magnetism was.

Simon measuring.

He loves to measure things.

It will keep him busy for a looooong time.

We went outside and measured and compared the circumference of a couple of trees.

Simon pointing to the school he will attend next year, Lord willing.

Simon drew Walle-E.

Christmas Time at Home

Evie is arching her back to see what scrumptious fare she might receive.

Her 'bib' is an old apron of my mother's.

Too bad it doesn't have a waterproof liner!

You are about to meet all of the 'characters' now belonging to Simon's castle that he received on Christmas.  By the way, if you see graffiti on the castle resembling gang marking, it was Simon coloring on his castle THE DAY AFTER he received it.  He drew a dragon, his name, etc.  Thankfully I paid $4 for the castle at Goodwill.  If I had paid the $59 for it that I have seen at other toy stores, I would have been kind of sad about his alterations!

In the above picture, meet the knights that Simon's grandparents bought him and some are from a gift Timothy gave him for Si's birthday.

The good king who looks kind of like a wiseman ... :)

The watchman who looks like he could also have come from a nativity set ....

The princess who looks strikingly familiar to the virgin Mary.

Now this is where you have to turn your head to the anachronisms of it all as Star Wars characters get involved.

Yesterday, I happened upon Baby Jesus in jail along with R2D2.

We moved this old white hutch into Si's room and it is now his desk.

We're trying to get rid of things in our kitchen area for our soon to be (I hope) kitchen remodel.

Our dishwasher broke the same day Matt's family came into town for Christmas! 

It was extra work to keep up with the dishes, especially with extra guests, but washing dishes by hand is growing on me.

Monday I was treated to some quality time and shopping :) with Shay!

Evie bonded with Shay - so sweet.

Shay and I went to the Crate and Barrel outlet off of I-35 after I picked her up from the airport.

Then later that evening after dropping off her pants at her favorite local tailor, we went to Northpark Mall and happened to run into a great sale at a couple of places.  

This is the time of year for sales!

IN CASE YOU ARE IN DALLAS AND NEED A TAILOR

The prices at Unique Tailor were amazing and while we waited (10 minutes maybe) they hemmed a pair of jeans that Shay needed that week.  So,they were willing to do a rush job on one of her pieces - (she dropped off several for pick up later this week)

I think it was approx. $4.99 for a jean hem.

I don't have to have a lot of things altered, but Shay does and says they do excellent work here.

She asked J.Crew once who they used to do their alterations (because they had done such a great job on a jacket for her) and it was Unique Tailor.  This was several years ago, and now they are a bit more busy since D Magazine voted them best tailor last year.

They were around Greenville and Mockingbird, near the Campisi's Egyptian Restaurant that serves Italian food - the same Campisis that was supposedly at one point owned and operated by the Mafia.

Simon called me to his room, "MOM!  My castle has a big king!"

Simon and Alex played so well together outside - for a looong time!

Corey and Matt had gone to Home Depot -- When Corey came over, he was hoping there were some projects he could help with that day.

  So, he and Matt put Si's bunkbeds back together, came up with a plan for raising his bunkbeds so that we can eventually get a trundle under them, and looked into getting parts for our hall bathroom's issues.

I thought that was rather kind of Corey to be so eager to be helpful.

The fallen knight.

The funniest thing that happened between Alex and Simon was at one point Kelly commented, "Is Simon wearing a tomato wire?"  We looked outside and Simon had put on himself a wire 'tomato' tree.  When questioned, he said he was a Christmas tree.  It was kind of dangerous, running around with pointed wires and such, but so funny to see.  

I wish I had taken a picture of it!

Kelly and her family came over last Sunday - earlier that morning Matt's parents and brother had headed back to Georgia.

Saturday night was really fun for Simon.  He was invited to sleep in our bedroom at the foot of our bed (on Evie's crib mattress.)  Evie was in our closet where she had slept all week.

Matt's parents were in Evie's room on the two twin beds that usually make up Si's bunkbeds, and Ollie was on Simon's trundle.  It was a full house that night!  Most of the week, Ollie had stayed over at our friends house - JD and Chrissy - while they were out of town.  They are very gracious hosts, even when they aren't there!

Ollie, Simon, and Evie.

This past week Evie has still been taking her naps in our closet - it is so dark and quiet back there, that she actually gets much more sleep.  She is a light sleeper (like her mommy) and wakes up at the slightest noises usually - and you can imagine there are plenty of noises since she is right by Simon's room and off the hall that isn't carpeted (which would help with sound absorption)

So, we've talked about it, and might continue to keep the pack and play in our closet and let her take naps there.  Worse case scenario:  we spoil her and she only takes naps in there.  Naps are something kids eventually outgrow, so it won't be forever.

It's just so nice to have a bit of peace during the day and not have to constantly be on Simon's case to be quiet while she sleeps!

I turn 30 in one week from today!

yikes

I gotta get my life together before then, I guess.

The kiddos and Matt's parents

My sweet little girl

Evie and I hung out last night.  We went to GFA's New Year's Eve fellowship time and watchnight service and communion.  I thought I'd have to leave around 10 or so for Evie's sake, but she hung in there until it was over, around 12:30 a.m.  I was pleasantly surprised at her staying awake that long, but not by her happy disposition.  When she is well, she is a sweetie!

It was nice to ring in the New Year with worship, praise, prayer, exhortation, and communion!

I've been able to update the blog today because Matt took Simon out for a fun day, since they have both been sick and feel a little better today.

They went to Lowes, Chick-fil-A, Frye's, and now they are at a park somewhere breaking in Simon's new bike that Gigi and Pops gave him, a new kite, and of course, the scooter!

About to go in the oven!

When these babies are iced with the creamcheese iciing ... wow!

I sampled this recipe when Debi brought some over one night for our wreath decorating party.  We assembled 29 wreaths for the GFA Christmas party!

Anyway, I was hooked on these cinnamon rolls.

Much better than the recipe that came with our bread machine that I made last year.

If you are interested, the recipe is on allrecipes website and is called:  clone of a cinnabon.

I was watching Little Women on the laptop while I made the cinnamon rolls on Christmas Eve ...

Evie's hands!

I love them!

Another Christmas Eve snapshot.

I'm not sure what Matt was doing.

Oh, wait, I think he was trying to get a broken screw out of a piece of hardware.

Randomness.

Ollie and Simon (probably with the help of Nana) made this amazingly cute gingerbread house on Christmas Eve.

This is Simon, excited about Christmas and the really cool scooter that his cousin Alex had given him.

Matt was sick over Christmas week ...

I think he had yet another sinus infection.

But, he is getting better!

And next month or so, when our budget recovers from the holidays, we're going to get our airvents cleaned and all and see if that helps prevent all these sicknesses my family is getting!

The day after he received the scooter, Simon scooted EVERYWHERE and was anxious for me to give him little chores so he could scoot to that location.

He carries his matchbox cars in the little red bag.